Cell phone / personal digital assistant built into handbag

ABSTRACT

A handbag for housing a cell phone/Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and containing a compartment for personal items is disclosed. The housing provisions include circuitry between inner lining and outer shell of handbag interconnecting various compartments therewithin, including backup battery compartment and a touch-operated screen (operable from the exterior). The handbag also has modular outlets to physically connect and integrate the cell phone/PDA system and an antenna to facilitate wireless connection.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the common cell phone/Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and its accessories that are combined with and are incorporated into a handbag.

[0003] 2. Background of the Prior Art

[0004] Significant advancements have been made for the cell phone with respect to miniaturization. While a less bulky cell phone unit has the advantage of being easier to store and carry, it is not necessarily easier to use. Currently, cell phones as well as PDA's are stored loosely in handbags or in compartments fashioned from the inner lining. The size reduction of the contemporary cell phone results in the difficulty and awkwardness in accessing a ringing phone within a cluttered handbag in a timely fashion. Outside the handbag, the cell phone becomes even harder to locate.

[0005] Holding a cell phone while conversing encumbers one hand and distracts the user from performing other tasks. A headphone attachment successfully resolves this drawback as well as the concern radiation but does so at the expense of miniaturization, ease of handling and storability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention incorporates the cell phone as well as its accessories as part of the handbag. The handbag thereby stores the cell phone and its accessories in a convenient manner as well as unobtrusively organizes the various components unobtrusively.

OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is the object of the present invention to provide a convenient means of carrying a cell phone/PDA and related accessories while walking and traveling.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to utilize the space and structure of a handbag to hold a cell phone and integrate it together with its components as well as its accessories.

[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to facilitate the safe and convenient use of a cell phone while walking and traveling.

[0010] A fourth object of the present invention is to provide the user with a new style of fashion as well as technology.

[0011] The foregoing and other objects of the invention are realized by the present invention by means of electrical circuits, embedded within the structure of the handbag, that connect the various components of the cell phone to each other. These circuits link the handset that is stored in a compartment within the handbag to a touch screen that is part of the exterior of the handbag at a location that the user can comfortably view. A third major component is the speaker headset that is connected to the system by means or wire or wireless transmission by a antenna affixed to the handbag.

[0012] Such an arrangement affords the advantages of a miniaturized cell phone in that it utilizes space that is already available. It also provides for the advantages of a larger unit by providing a larger screen, allowing for more functions to be displayed at one time. Other advantages include a larger dialing area, a means for faster locating cell phone and a longer battery life between charging and recharging.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention that refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cell phone/personal digital assistant built into a handbag of this invention showing the exterior of the handbag with a touch-operated, display screen affixed to the outer shell thereof, and, in dashed lines, a compartment with a speaker-headset and a stylus therewithin;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 1 showing in dashed lines a pouch holding the cell phone unit, a connector strip for accessories, and a backup battery pack;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 1 showing an antenna for aiding wireless communication and, in dashed lines, a user wearing the speaker-headset accessing data through the touch-operated, display screen;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the invention of FIG. 1 showing the interconnection of system components with the touch-operated, display screen; and,

[0018]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the invention of FIG. 1 showing the interconnection of system components with the equipment compartment and the backup battery pack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5 a perspective view is shown of an otherwise conventional handbag 1 with strap 2 and clasp 3 that allow access to interior compartments. Most visible on the exterior shell of handbag 1 is touch screen display 4 that is either housed in or mounted on exterior shell 5. Touch screen display 4, which is part of Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device 18, is connected to internal wire grid (not shown) by means of wire (10 in FIG. 4) going into interior. Icon 19 represents data displayed on PDA screen 4 that enables user to read messages relayed as well as input data and commands.

[0020] Compartment 6 has an opening and closing device that in this illustration is zipper 7. Compartment 6 affords user access to speaker-headset 8 as well as stylus 17 used for input of commands. Speaker-headset 8 is plugged into jack outlet (not shown) on the interior of compartment 6.

[0021]FIG. 2 shows cell phone components within interior of handbag 1. Pouch 13 inside main compartment of handbag provides a means of securely holding cell phone 14. Cell phone 14 is connected to circuit (not shown) by means of wire (10 in FIG. 4) through jack 20 within modified compartment 6. Battery pack 15 is securely affixed to interior of handbag and connected to circuit grid (10 in FIG. 4) through jack 20. Motion sensitive generator 21 is connected to battery pack.

[0022]FIG. 3 shows user utilizing contents of compartment 6. Antenna 16 transmits conversation between cell phone and speaker-headphone 8. FIG. 3 further shows stylus 17 in user's right hand that she uses to issue commands via icons on screen 4 in order to utilize various features of PDA 18.

[0023] In the course of operation of present invention, user hears an audible indication of incoming call from cell phone 14 or PDA 18 and proceeds to look at display screen 4 to see phone number of incoming call displayed. She then opens zipper 7 and removes speaker headphone 8 that receives transmissions via antenna 16. She proceeds by tapping icon 19 on screen 4 to accept call. At the end of call, user taps icon on screen 4 that corresponds to end of call command. To initiate an outgoing call, user will remove speaker-headphone 8 from its compartment and issue a voice command or will access directory in PDA 18 by means of stylus 17.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of two of the several applicable components namely, cell phone 14 connected to PDA 18 and screen 4 by means of circuit grid represented by wire 10 that is layered between outer shell 5 of handbag and inner lining.

[0025]FIG. 5 likewise is a view of invention illustrating wire 10 physically connecting compartment 6 to battery pack 15 and generator 21. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A handbag and cell phone/Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) comprising: a handbag containing at least one compartment for personal items; an opening enabling user to access items in the interior; a recessed well in handbag shell on the exterior side; a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) unit with a touch screen display in the recessed well, the recessed well having the size and shape that complements and matches the corresponding size and shape of the PDA; and, a series of electrical wires arranged along an intermediate level between inner lining and outer shell of handbag.
 2. The handbag and cell phone/PDA combination of claim 1, including modular outlets to enable connection and integration of electrical components.
 3. The handbag and cell phone/PDA combination of claim 1, including modular outlets to enable connection and integration of electrical components that involve operation of a cell phone/PDA system.
 4. The handbag and cell phone/PDA combination of claim 1, including modular outlets to enable connection and integration of cell phone/PDA components and accessories.
 5. The handbag and cell phone/PDA combination of claim 4, including Personal Digital Assistant with mobile communications and multimedia capabilities.
 6. The handbag and cell phone/PDA combination of claim 4, including removable cell phone connected to circuit grid integrated within structure of handbag.
 7. The handbag and cell phone/PDA combination of claim 4, including touch screen display affixed to outer shell of handbag.
 8. The handbag and cell phone/PDA combination of claim 4, including integration of speaker headset for hands free conversation.
 9. The handbag and cell phone/PDA combination of claim 4, including integration of battery pack.
 10. The handbag and cell phone/PDA combination of claim 4, including integration of motion sensitive generator.
 11. The handbag and cell phone/PDA combination of claim 1, including interior compartments to firmly contain cell phone components and accessories.
 12. The handbag and cell phone/PDA combination of claim 1, including antennae affixed to external structure of handbag. 